Producer | Artist Development

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Yes, Maria Triana. She’s a mastering wizard. I’ve worked with her on various projects, and she never disappoints. Always delivers top-notch work.

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I’m especially proud of my work on the sound for ZDF Heute news, which launched in 2009 and is still on air in 2025. It was a project where I contributed to shaping the overall sound identity, and knowing it has stood the test of time is incredibly rewarding.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Lots of cool stuff! I’m currently working on releasing a single I produced, Frozen Eyes by Alicia Robé, an EP production for sound meditation artist LEIN, song productions for Dutch artist Leeghoofd, and a sonic branding project for a new TV broadcaster.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Hybrid! I enjoy working "in the box" for efficiency and flexibility, but I also love incorporating analog gear. There’s something about the warmth and character of analog that I can’t get enough of. I like having the best of both worlds and combining the strengths of each to create the best sound possible

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: We get you heard.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: One common question is, "What kind of music do you make?" My answer: I work across a variety of styles, from artist-driven productions to bespoke sonic branding, always focusing on authenticity and creating a strong emotional connection with the listener.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: A misconception is that my work is purely technical or just about making music sound good. While sound quality is important, my role goes far beyond that. It's about understanding the deeper connection between the artist, the brand, and the audience. I help translate emotions, ideas, and messages into sound that resonates on a deeper level. It's a creative, strategic process that involves collaboration, vision, and often a bit of magic to make everything come together seamlessly.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: My advice is to focus on finding someone who truly understands your vision and goals. Collaboration is key, so choose a provider who listens, adapts, and is willing to work closely with you to bring your ideas to life. Trust in the process and be open to creative exploration.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I started out as a young guitarist playing in various bands, which led me into more professional session work as I honed my skills. Along the way, I pursued marketing studies and landed an internship at a music production house called MassiveMusic that specialized in bespoke music for brands. This experience sparked my passion for creating music in a commercial context. From there, I transitioned into executive music and sound production roles at creative music studios like Antfood, working on global brand campaigns. To deepen my expertise, I studied at the Abbey Road Institute in Amsterdam during the significant global shift, which further shaped my approach to production. Today, I run my own music production house, Never Square Music, and label, Never Square Records. Here, I help develop artists to become the best versions of themselves while supporting them in creating their finest work. With over 25 years in the industry, I'm still just getting started!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I’d describe my style as versatile, creative, and deeply collaborative. I adapt to each project, bringing out the unique essence of the artist or brand, while ensuring the sound is authentic and emotionally impactful

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Jacob Collier. He’s a gift to humanity – his talent, creativity, and innovation are truly inspiring.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Listen to your mix in mono. (It helps identify any phase issues and ensures your track sounds great on all systems, especially when things get summed to mono, like on certain speakers or platforms)

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a deep understanding of its essence, refining and shaping it with creativity and attention to detail, ensuring it reaches its fullest potential.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start by understanding the artist’s vision and goals, then I dive into the creative process – shaping the song through collaboration, refining the sound, and making sure everything aligns with the original idea. I focus on creating an environment where ideas can evolve and the song can truly come to life.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What I love most is the process of searching for ideas and getting creative. At the end of the day, we have something audible that wasn’t there before – it's pure magic. I also really enjoy working with others, sharing ideas, and collaborating to create something together. The energy of teamwork and the excitement of bringing something to life is what makes it all so fulfilling.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: I’d keep it minimal and practical. My TASCAM 424 tape machine for that classic analog feel, my Martin LXM travel guitar for portability and great sound, a sturdy SM57 for reliable recording, a cable to make it all work, and an empty cassette to capture whatever inspiration strikes. Travel light, and hopefully, I’d find a glass bottle to send the tape out into the world.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio setup includes Genelec and Amphion monitors, a Universal Audio Apollo interface, MacBook Pro, ProTools Ultimate, Ableton Live 11, and Logic Pro X, along with most industry-standard plugins. I have a collection of old and new synthesizers, various studio mics, and drum machines (Roland, Casio). My guitar collection spans acoustic and electric (Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, Martin, Washburn), plus a TASCAM analog tape machine. In other studios I regularly visit, I have access to Neve VR and SSL 4000G consoles, along with all the classic outboard gear you can dream of.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I believe in building strong, collaborative relationships, so I like to start by getting to know my clients and their vision. Some of the key questions I ask include: What is the goal of this project, and where do you want to grow as an artist? Who are the people who listen to your music? Can you describe your audience? What challenges are you facing right now, and what do you feel is holding you back? What are your expectations when working with me? What does success look like for you, and when will you feel the project is a success? These questions help me understand where the artist is coming from, what they need, and how we can align to create something meaningful.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: I’m inspired by a wide range of musicians and producers, including Rick Rubin, Jack Antonoff, Shawn Everett, Tchad Blake, Greg Wells, Andrew Scheps, Al Schmitt, Desmond Child, Beck, Prince, John Mayer, Neil Young, Adam Granduciel (The War On Drugs), Eddie Van Halen, Freddy Mercury, David Bowie, ABBA, The Beatles, Paul McCartney, and The Police, to name just a few.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: I typically work on music production, helping artists shape their songs from start to finish. This includes songwriting, arrangement, recording, mixing, and sometimes mastering – always with a focus on bringing out the best in the artist’s vision.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Pop, indie, rock, folk, americana, funk, soul, and soundtracks (bespoke music or re-recordings for commercials and brand media), sonic branding.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Digging deeper. I focus on uncovering the core of a song and shaping it until it reaches its best possible form.